I hate my mom
The story
Man, I just gotta get this off my chest, like for real. I’m 16, right? And my relationship with my mom is the absolute worst. It’s crazy how different she is with my little sister, like she practically worships her or something. It’s like they’re best friends and I’m just... there. 😕
Every time I walk into the room, it feels like I’m stepping into a battlefield; she gives me this look that just screams annoyance. Like, what’s up with that? It’s not like I’m a total jerk or anything. I mean, I try to keep it chill, but every little thing I do just seems to set her off. “Why can’t you be more like your sister?” is basically her daily mantra. Seriously, how am I supposed to compete with someone who can do no wrong? It’s exhausting. 😤 My sister is sweet and always gets the praise. I don’t blame her, she’s cool, but jeez, a little love for the older sibling wouldn’t hurt either! I can’t help but feel like I’m constantly walking on eggshells around my mom. Even things like asking her for a favor seem to ignite a volcanic eruption. “I’m too busy, why don’t you just handle it yourself?” Like, okay, I get that you have a lot to juggle, but come on, don’t I deserve a little consideration? I mean, it’s only fair. I’m a teen trying to navigate life and school and whatever else comes my way. Just last week, I asked her if she could help me with some school project ideas. She hardly listened and just told me to Google it. Like, really? I get that independence is important and all, but there’s a fine line between being supportive and being dismissive. 😒 My friends joke around about their moms being “just a little bit overprotective,” but I’m over here just wishing for some attention!
I honestly can’t figure out what I’ve done to deserve this treatment. I’ve tried talking to her about it but every time I bring it up, she makes me feel like I'm whining. “You need to toughen up,” she says. I’m like, what am I supposed to do with that? It’s not like I’m asking her to hand me everything on a silver platter. I just want some recognition, you know? Like... occasionally ask about my day or show a little interest when I’m venting about a bad test or a friendship issue. But nah, it’s always about my sister's dance competitions or her latest cute outfit. I can’t help but feel like a second-class citizen in my own home. It’s frustrating, to say the least. And the worst part? When my friends are over and see how affectionate she is with my sister, they definitely notice the strong contrast. You could cut the tension with a knife! 😳 I can’t help but wonder if she even realizes she’s doing it. Maybe she’s caught up in her own world and just doesn’t see me. I’m there, but I feel invisible. It’s kind of like being the background character in a movie where everyone else gets the spotlight. Is it wrong that I want to yell, “Hey! I’m here too!” I constantly catch myself daydreaming about what it would be like to have a mom who genuinely had my back. It sounds simple, right? Just someone who’s on my side, cheering me on instead of the constant critic. Is that too much to ask?
I hear my friends tell stories about their moms and I can’t help but feel this wave of jealousy wash over me. They have those heart-to-heart chats that I would honestly die for. 🤦♂️ Real talk, have I done something specific that triggered this? Or does she just have a weird preference? Why does it feel like I'm in competition for her affection? I don’t need to be her favorite, but a little balance would be nice! So yeah, sometimes I just wanna scream, "I hate my mom," but deep down, I know that it’s not really that simple. I guess in some ways, I still want her to notice me. I don't know, maybe I'm imagining it all, but it sure feels real to me. Thanks for hearing me out, this has been building up for a minute!

Stories in the same category
Points of view
that situation sounds really tough and i can see why you’re feeling like you're in a tough spot. it's gotta be super frustrating to feel like you're constantly in competition for your mom's attention, and i can imagine how draining that must be on a daily basis. it's totally normal to crave that recognition from her, and wanting to have those heart-to-heart chats you're missing out on makes complete sense. maybe your mom doesn't realize that's how you're feeling, and she might need a gentle nudge to understand. sometimes parents get caught up in things and don't see what’s right in front of them, you know? keeping communication open might help shift things a bit. you deserve to feel seen and appreciated, and i hope things improve soon. hang in there; it sounds like you're doing your best in a challenging situation.
have you considered that maybe your mom has a lot on her plate and doesn't mean to overlook you? i doubt she intentionally plays favorites, but sometimes people just click differently. my mom was the same, always praising my big brother, and yeah, it sucked. eventually, i found out she was trying to push me to be more independent. it kind of sounds like your mom is doing something similar. maybe she thinks you don’t need as much hand-holding? have you tried just straight-up asking her why she seems more attentive to your sister? sometimes putting it on the table can clear things up. 🤔 just a thought!
hey, i hear you, but maybe there's more to it than meets the eye. have you thought about cultural expectations? sometimes moms withhold affection because they think it's better for our development; my mom did that, and i never understood until later. what if your mom views your sister's achievements as a product of your sister's personality fitting into those expectations? instead of seeing it as favoritism, could it be that she feels confident in your ability to handle things independently? i know it might not feel like it now, but sometimes understanding their perspective can help; you might find there's a reason behind it. 🤔 just a thought for reflecting on this dynamic.
hey, sounds like you're going through a rough time, and i can see why you'd feel that way. it's not fun being in the shadow of your sister; it can be really tough when it seems like your efforts go unnoticed. i get what you mean when you say it feels like your mom doesn't give you the same attention. it's kinda unfair to feel like you're competing for her affection. but maybe there's a way to gently bring it up with her? i know it might not fix everything, but it could help a bit. sometimes parents just don't realize how they're making us feel 🤔. hope things get better for you soon.
hey, i really feel for ya, it must be super hard dealing with that kind of stuff at home 😔. when i was younger, i also felt like my mom gave my younger brother way more attention, and it made me feel pretty invisible. it's really tough when you feel like you’re in a constant battle for approval. i know it’s not easy, but maybe giving your mom more insight into how you're feeling could help? sometimes parents are caught up in their daily grind and don't notice how their actions affect us. trying to have an honest convo might not fix everything overnight, but it could be a step towards understanding. you're doing your best, and that’s something to be proud of 💪. hope things start looking up for you!